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KC's bullpen depth continues to be strength

KC's bullpen depth continues to be strength

7/11/13: Louis Coleman tosses a hitless relief appearance to continue his streak of retiring every batter he's faced since being called up

By Paul Casella
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Called up earlier this week to provide relief to a taxed Royals bullpen, Louis Coleman on Wednesday night did exactly what manager Ned Yost has come to expect from the righty.

Making his fifth appearance for the Royals this season -- and first since May 30 -- Coleman fired a perfect eighth inning, striking out the side in order, in the 8-1 loss to the Yankees. He needed just 14 pitches, 11 for strikes, to complete the frame. Coleman has yet to allow a run in his five big league outings this season, totaling 5 1/3 innings.

Prior to Coleman taking the mound, fellow reliever J.C. Gutierrez had already pitched two scoreless innings of his own after starter Wade Davis exited in the sixth inning with the Royals trailing, 8-0. The six combined scoreless innings of relief on Wednesday and Thursday lowered Kansas City's bullpen ERA to an American League-best 2.87.

"We've always felt the bullpen was a strength of this club," Yost said. "And I've always had a lot of confidence in the depth of it, too."

Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.